“LeBron James made it to the Finals as a no. 4 seed”: Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma explains why their seeding is not that consequential this season

Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma does not believe the final seeding would impact the playoff results by a lot, especially with LeBron James on the team.

The Los Angeles Lakers are in a bit of a rocky patch as of late. Ever since Anthony Davis suffered his Achilles tendonitis injury, the Lakers have lost 3 of their last 4 games.

The Lakers have also been playing without their primary point guard Dennis Schroder, who has been sidelined due to COVID protocols. In this time of instability, the Lakers fell from the second spot in the West to third, but they’ve gained the spot back as the Nets beat the Clippers tonight.

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However, in Anthony Davis’s absence, his other teammates have stepped up to complement and help LeBron James on the court. Kyle Kuzma has a little under 20 points per game in games where Anthony Davis hasn’t played, as compared to averaging 11 points per game for the season. Markieff Morris and Montrezl Harrell have also shown improved numbers in AD’s absence.

Kyle Kuzma and his stance on final seeding

Kyle Kuzma isn’t particularly worried about what seed the Lakers end up on. According to Kuz, the impact seeding makes on the playoffs has gone down considerably in the last few years.

In his chat with a reporter from SB Nation, Kuz said,

“I don’t really know that’s it’s as imperative as past years. There’s not really a homecourt advantage and regardless, before you get to the Finals, you’re going to play the Clippers or the Jazz, or you’re going to play somebody that’s up there.”

“It doesn’t really matter too much. ‘Bron was a four seed in his last year in Cleveland and went to the Finals. It doesn’t matter.”

Kyle Kuzma says seeding “doesn’t really matter too much” to the Lakers, citing LeBron’s last Cavs team going from the 4th seed to the Finals and the lack of fans.

— NBA Insider Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) February 21, 2021

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Since the NBA has been very stringent about getting fans back in the arena, homecourt advantages only serve as a logistical advantage. The benefits of having a whole arena full of fans would possibly not be felt this season.